William T. Phillips

There is perhaps no more controversial figure in the legend of Butch Cassidy than that of William T. Phillips. There are those who believe that Phillips was the assumed identity of the infamous outlaw after he returned from South America and there are those who believe Philips was nothing but a fraud. Fraud or not, Phillips has carved out his own niche in Wild Bunch history.

According to his death certificate, William Thadeus Phillips was born June 22, 1865 (Nine months before Robert LeRoy Parker was born on April 13, 1866) in Sandusky, Michigan. His parents are listed as L.J. Phillips and Celia Mudge.

Celia Mudge is believed to have been born on November 19, 1852, meaning she would have to have given birth to Phillips when she was twelve years old. Not impossible, but suspicious enough to add fuel to the fire for those who believe Phillips was the infamous outlaw.

Looking at a picture of the two men it is hard not to notice the similarities, especially around the eyes. Various handwriting and facial comparisons have been performed to compare the two men, but with mixed results. Ultimately both sides of the debate cling to the evidence that supports their side.

Cassidy researcher and author, Larry Pointer, believes that William T. Phillips and Butch Cassidy were, in fact, the same man. His book, In Search of Butch Cassidy, presents his case. Pointer has documented several instances where Phillips claimed to be the notorious outlaw. To further his case, Pointer focuses on Phillips relationship with Mary Boyd, a girlfriend of Cassidy’s from his Horse Creek days. Phillips reportedly gave Boyd a ring inscribed, “Geo. C. to Mary B.”

Pointer enlisted a Master Certified Graphoanalyst and Questioned Document Examiner to compare letters known to be from Cassidy to those known to be written by Phillips. The examiner’s conclusion was that the same person had written both letters.

Phillips is the author of The Bandit Invincible, a third person account of Cassidy’s exploits. Some of the details don’t entirely match with those of recorded history, as those who feel Phillips was a fraud are quick to point out. In Phillips defense, a great deal of Wild Bunch history is subject to speculation, often with two or more possible scenarios for the same event. As an example; concrete evidence that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid died in San Vicente, Bolivia has never been produced, yet many treat the scenario as fact. Some scenarios are more accepted than others. These scenarios often take on the role of “truth,” making it easy to forget that, in the end, they are all just theories. This is not to say that the inaccuracies in Phillips book do not cast a shadow on its authenticity, they certainly do. However, it pays to keep an open mind when dealing with something as subjective as “history.”

On May 14, 1908 William T. Phillips married Gertrude Livesay in Adrian, Michigan. Two years later the couple moved to Spokane, Washington. Desperate for a job, Phillips applied to the Washington Water Power Company. In his interview, Phillips lied about his math and drafting skills and managed to get the job despite knowing nothing about either. He studied both subjects at the public library and went on to complete many projects successfully. Two years later the Phillips’ adopted a son, William Richard.

According to Pointer’s book, the 1911 Spokane City Directory listed Phillips occupation as Second Vice President of the American Stereotypewriter Company.

In 1912, Phillips went to Alaska to search for gold. The operation was unsuccessful and he soon returned home to Spokane. Coincidently enough, Cassidy’s sister, Lula Parker Betenson, says that her brother mentioned living in Alaska during a family reunion of sorts in 1925.

In 1915, the entrepreneurial bug his Phillips and he established the Phillips Manufacturing Company. The company focused on developing adding machines, but Pointer goes on to say that Phillips created plans for an automatic garage door opener along with several other inventions during this time; none of which were patented.

Phillips met with a Michigan company, Burroughs, to discuss selling his adding machine plans, but the deal fell through. Burroughs later came out with their own version of Phillips adding machine, leaving Phillips in the dust.

There are scores of Cassidy sightings throughout the early 1900’s by strangers and old friends alike. Most of the claims involve Cassidy driving a Model-T, Phillips was known to drive the same vehicle. While the accounts of those who have never met Cassidy are subject to suspicion, it would seem difficult to fool those who new Cassidy back in the day.

By 1930, Phillips’ business was falling apart and he was on the fast road to being broke. His health soon followed and Phillips discovered himself diagnosed with cancer.

William T. Phillips died in Spokane, Washington on July 20, 1934. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered over the Little Spokane River. He left behind his wife Gertrude and their adopted son, William R. Phillips. Gertrude Phillips passed away on April 16, 1959.

It is interesting to note that in her book, Butch Cassidy, My Brother, Lula Parker Betenson writes her brother died in the Pacific Northwest under the alias William Phillips. She makes a point of saying that he was not the man known as William T. Phillips, but the coincidence is rather striking.

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